just reading this...

http://www.northursalia.com/techdocs/pdf/engine/dohctbelt.pdf 

I'm about to change the timing gear on my DOHC ej25. Has anyone got the special tools for holding the cams still while you change the belt? If so, could I borrow them?

BTW, I'm in Sydney.

Yeh
my apprentice

No

we don't lend stuff

You don't really need it, helps, but as long as you rotate it so the alignment marks match up before you take it off, it won't move too far. Just be careful, when it describes the left side of the engine, its the right side when you have the engine in the rear.

haha, be heck easier for you to access with it in the buggy then what it would be in the scooby ay?

hehe.

as long as you have a manual that describes how to time the cam gears then you don't need to hold them still.

I did my V6 cam belt with no trouble.

I found on my SOHC using clothes pegs/bulldog clips to hold the belt on the sprockets helped.

I use a couple of vice grips across the 2 gears with a small spacer in between (lightly) :P Timing isn't a problem if you don't hold the gears, just follow the manual to ensure you don't rotate the cam gear incorrectly and touch the inlet and exhaust valves together! Make sure you undo the cam gear bolts prior to removing the timing belt, much easier. Don't forget to load the hyd tensioner and set with a small pin ready for when you reinstall the belt. Have you got a manual, I have the lot on disc if needed.
cheers

pete, could draw a little diagram of the vice grip idea?

BTW, I have a PDF of the operation.

Pete.
Just turn the engine over untill the timing marks are set as per the manual, then grip the vice grips on the inside of the 2 timing gears (holding the 2 gears together lightly on each head), this just stops the gears from moving independently when the belts removed.

right, I get how you do the deep dished gears. what do you grab on the other side?

just take your Old timing belt, and wrap it around the gear, and vice grip the belt together. Worked perfectly for me.

Hold on !

There is a few traps here

get the timing marks on the correct locations , mark the said marks with a white pen

you need to remove the hydralic tensioner & when its off place the unit in the vice & ( slowly close it ) & fit a locking pin ( make sure it can be removed when you place it back on the motor

The cams very easly can come off there mark as you are trying to put the belt on thats why its best to mark the pulleys so should they come off the marks you can see this .Its very easy to walk away & not see this happen .
be sure to fit some lock tight to the main pully bolt when reassembly & do it up tight .

ta mate